There are four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Costa Rica. Three of the sites are natural and one is cultural.
Table of Contents
Map of Costa Rica’s World Heritage Sites
Costa Rica UNESCO Sites
Area de Conservación Guanacaste (1999)
Located in the Guanacaste Province in Costa Rica, this conservation area is one of four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Costa Rica for its natural importance. It was initially inscribed into the UNESCO list in 1999 but was expanded in 2004. The site was recognized by UNESCO as it is an important natural habitat in Central America wherein you will find endangered plant and animal species. Furthermore, it is known for its biological diversity in terms of its terrestrial and marine coastal environments.
Cocos Island National Park (1997)
This island was named a national park in Costa Rica although the island is uninhabited. The island is surrounded by deep waters with counter-currents. It is a famous spot for divers because there is a rich array of marine life including hammerhead sharks, dolphins, and rays. The wet climate and oceanic character make it distinctive to the Galapagos Islands.
Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of the Diquís (2014)
These unique petrosphers, or stone balls, are located in Costa Rica’s Diquis Delta and Isla del Cano. The stone balls are associated with the now-extinct Diquis culture although their exact meaning and importance remain unknown until today. The site, recognized as having cultural value, was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Costa Rica in 2014.
Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park (1983)
The La Amistad National Park is considered as a transboundary protected area since a part of it belongs to Panama. The Talamanca Mountain Range is the main feature of the park since it is a major biodiversity resource; in fact, 20% of the region’s species diversity call this national park home. Due to the difficult terrain, the park is mostly unexplored, allowing to the preservation of its natural state and to avoid disturbance to the various species found within the park.
View the list of all of the UNESCO World Heritage sites I have visited on my travels.
View all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Central America.